Living in old age - housing for the disabled

Even if we like to push the thought far away: It doesn't hurt to think about age-appropriate living in good time. Because as we grow older, we also have special requirements for our living situation. People who are getting older need a living situation that is adapted to their age and, above all, to their state of health. Barrier-free housing becomes an issue at the latest when physical mobility is no longer optimal.

Growing older does not necessarily mean spending one's last years in a retirement home. Those who deal with the issue in good time can often remain living at home into old age.

Seniors can maintain their independence for a longer time with a barrier-free flat - this not only gives them a good feeling, but also significantly more quality of life. For relatives, it means significant relief and independence

With increasing age, it becomes more and more difficult to manage everyday life. Stumbling blocks lurk everywhere in the household, household chores become more burdensome and everything takes a little longer than usual. When you get older, you often lack muscle strength. This may mean that you can no longer push open the door as usual, you are no longer as agile and your ability to react diminishes. Even small bumps on the floor can become a tripping hazard. That's why you should think about how you can adapt your home to your age in good time, ideally before the first symptoms appear.

Age-appropriate living is the prerequisite for being able to remain in your familiar surroundings into old age - even with possible physical impairments. Most of the time, this requires renovation measures, but a home emergency call, with the help of which you can summon professional help in an emergency, can also be life-saving.

There is no definition for age-appropriate housing. It only means that the living situation is appropriate and adapted to the age. "Disability-friendly" and "barrier-free" housing, however, is precisely defined by a DIN standard in Germany.

The criteria that define what accessibility actually means are precisely defined in DIN Standard 18040-2. This standard specifies how the individual areas in the flat or house must be designed to ensure accessibility. You can find precise information about this in the building regulations of the respective federal state.

If you want to receive a KfW grant for your conversion work, you must adhere exactly to the specifications and Din Standard 18040-2. The situation is different if you want to claim benefits from the long-term care insurance fund for a barrier-free flat. In this case, the standard is not decisive, but rather the personal state of health and the degree of restriction.

The term "barrier-free" is legally defined, but the terms "low barrier" and "barrier-reduced" are not. In this case, the criteria for compliance with the DIN standard are usually not met. In case of doubt, it is therefore important to pay attention to the terminology.  

Barrier-reduced does not mean barrier-free and only describes part of what is technically required. This can be important in a legal sense, for example, if an estate agent or flat seller advertises with the feature barrier-free, this must also meet the legal requirements - but this is not the case with the term barrier-reduced or barrier-reduced.  

The main problem is usually the bathroom. There is usually little space to move around and it is not uncommon to find a shower cubicle in the bathroom that is very difficult to get into. Level shower cubicles have not been on the market for very long, but they are extremely helpful in the case of physical impairments. If the shower is planned to be barrier-free, it should be installed flush with the floor and fitted with an anti-slip or slip-resistant covering. A grab rail in the shower is also important and can be installed quickly.

The bathtub should also be designed to be barrier-free, for example as a sit-down bathtub. Alternatively, it can be equipped with a bath lift. It is also possible to convert the bathtub into a barrier-free shower. If the bathroom is to be converted according to DIN 18040 for the elderly, this usually requires complex and extensive structural measures.

The toilet also plays an important role in age-appropriate living. If a wheelchair user has to use the toilet, there should be enough space next to it. In both the bathroom and the toilet, it is important to ensure that the fittings are ergonomically designed. A toilet elevator and a grab bar right next to it make it easier for people with disabilities to use the toilet.

The kitchen must also be barrier-free - this means that everything should be easily accessible for the resident. Work chairs that can be stowed under the worktop  are practical for working in the kitchen. Pull-out drawers are more practical than cupboards, height-adjustable wall units and worktops make kitchen work easier not only for wheelchair users.

If it is a rented flat, the question arises as to who is actually entitled to the conversion. Legally, this is regulated in such a way that the tenant can demand the landlord's consent to the conversion into barrier-free living if there is a legitimate interest. This is the case if an occupant of the flat has a physical limitation or disability. The landlord can only refuse this in special cases that are regulated by law. For example, if the conversion measures would interfere with the fabric of the building, as would be the case with a lift or the removal of door thresholds.

It doesn't always have to be an elaborate conversion. You can also make your home safer with small measures. Things lying around can quickly become tripping hazards. Anything that is in the way on stairs or on the floor should be rigorously removed. Wavy carpets or slippery doormats should either be removed or covered with anti-slip foil.

There are also many aids that make everyday life easier for older people: mobility aids, booster seats, handholds, dressing aids or buttoning aids for jackets, etc.

Age-appropriate seating furniture and beds make it easier for older people to get up. If upholstered furniture has short legs, for example, they can be raised by attaching higher legs, making them easier to use.

Barrier-free housing can be subsidised, for example by the long-term care insurance fund or by KfW. The latter offers a programme for age-appropriate conversion. Under certain conditions, the long-term care insurance funds provide a subsidy of 4,000 euros per year for people with a care degree. This is intended to enable or facilitate home care in the home or to restore the independence of the person to be cared for.

People who have limited mobility due to their age can stay in their homes for much longer by specifically adapting the structural conditions. Terms such as low barrier, barrier-reduced and age-appropriate housing are not legally defined. Barrier-free and handicapped-accessible housing, on the other hand, is precisely defined in DIN Standard 18040-2. This is relevant for KfW funding, while the long-term care insurance fund also grants a subsidy for adaptation measures if a long-term care degree is available.